Kane thought about all that Judy had told him. He now knew why she was so angry! While he didn't like or approve of what Taker had done, Kane couldn't actually bring himself to be angry with him either! Oddly enough, he understood why Taker had done it! Looking up, Kane studied the woman sitting across from him closely. Judy was obviously angry and hurt...miserable too. Kane couldn't help wondering just how this was going to affect hers and Taker's relationship!
"Thanks for telling me! I just wish Taker hadn't done it!" He said, sitting his cup back down on the table!
Judy didn't say anything for some time. Staring down in to her cup, a glum look on her face, Judy's thoughts were on the damage done by Taker's actions! What could he have been thinking? And what was up with Kali? Why hadn't she called? Had she done the right thing making Taker tell her face to face? Was Kali strong enough mentally and physically to hear it?
"Earth to Judy!" Kane said, waving his hands in front of her face, finally getting her attention!
Laughing softly, she apologized."I"m sorry! What did you say?" Judy blushed a deep, dusky rose! Her thoughts had been a million miles away.
laughing softly, Kane's hazel eyes sparkled good-naturedly. "It doesn't matter! Wasn't important anyway! You ready to leave?" At her nod, Kane pulled out some money for the check, then they left the small coffee shop.
Taker rejoined the tour in Chicago. He waited until after Judy would have left for the arena before going to the hotel. He was a mess physically, from the night he'd shared with Kali. That night came back to him over and over, replaying itself in his mind. Never had he known such animal like passion! She had done things to him...bringing him just to the edge...then backing off so many times, he thought he would go insane with desire! He just couldn't get her out of his mind...let alone their night of passion! And he carried the marks of that passion! He didn't have a clue how he was going to explain the hickies and scratches to Judy! She was going to be more than pissed! She would go ballistic!
He arrived at the arena well after the show had started! He had a match against the new guy called Lightening just before the championship match at the end! This was leading up to Survivors Series just a few weeks away. The Rock and Kurt Angle would be the main event in that PPV! As he made his way to his dressing room, he hoped Judy wouldn't be there, but as he opened the door, he saw her bending over zipping up her boots!
Judy straightened up when she heard the door open. She had one foot propped up on one of the two chairs, zipping one of her ankle boots. Dressing in a flowing pale blue silk shirt, belted at the waist, and tight black leather pants, she was breathtaking! Her long curling hair was pulled back in a jumble of fat curls. The look she gave him was at first surprised, then quickly turned to cool indifference!
"Well...I'm surprised to see you so soon! Did you see Kali?" She asked curiously.
"Good to see you too! Yes, I saw Kali! She said to tell you, she was leaving Thief River Falls and would call you in a few days once she got settled!" Taker said as he set his bag down, making sure to keep his back to her!
Judy stood up looking at him suspiciously. Something wasn't right here! He wouldn't look at her directly, just glancing at her over his shoulder. And he kept his back to her!
Placing her hands on her hips, she walked over to him, to get a better look at him. Alarms were going off in her head! She knew something else was going on here, but what, she didn't know! Her sharp eyes took in his haggard appearance, the tension in his posture, his jerky movements! Taker was hiding something!
"What exactly happened at Kali's?" Her voice was deceptively soft. Her sharp eyes filled with suspicion as they locked with his!
He looked away guiltily. "I don't know what you mean!" Taker actually stumbled over his words as he busied himself with his bag. For the first time in a very long while, he found himself unable to meet her eyes.
Judy knew he was hiding something from her! He was behaving TOO guilty! And she knew "guilty" when she saw it! After all, she had been married to a "guilty" man for some few years!
"I'm going to get a cup of coffee. Do you want one?" She asked, changing the subject!
"Yeah! Coffee would be good!" He replied quietly, still fumbling with the contents of his bag...still not looking at her!
When he heard the door close, the big man glanced around making sure he was alone! Breathing a sigh of relief, he leaned against the table, staring at his reflection in the mirror! What the hell was he going to do? And just how in HELL was he going to get around this?
Tilting his head slightly, he examined the dark purple hickey on his thickly muscled neck. One large one and two smaller ones stood out like a neon sign! There was no waygoing to be able to keep these hidden for long! As he was examining these "passion bites", Judy had returned with their coffee. At her gasp,he caught sight of her standing in the doorway, styrofoam cups in hand!
Slowly she came closer! A look of betrayal, pain and out right fury filled her eyes as they ran over his body! The cups fell unnoticed to the floor, as she came closer, her eyes finally meeting his own. Slowly, she tilted his face to the side, pulled his shirt away from his neck and looked at the marks on his neck. Grabbing hold of his shirt, Judy ripped it open to expose his massive chest. Deep, long scratches that had begun to scab over were clearly visible.
She stared silently at the tell-tale marks of his infidelity, then slowly lifted her eyes to his. With every ounce of strength in her body, she slapped him as hard as she could across the face. Taker's head snapped around from the force of her blow.
"You BASTARD!" Her voice barely above a whisper as she glared angrily at the man she loved...at the father of her children...at the man who had betrayed her yet again! She spun on her heels, grabbed her bag and left the dressing room.
Taker tried stopping her, but she kept on walking. With a growl of irritation, he finally gave up and went back, slamming the door behind him.
She started to leave the arena, then changed her mind! After all she had signed a contract for six months! Standing there near the parking area, in indecision, Judy was startled when Billy Gunn and Chyna spoke to her!
"Judy? Anything wrong?" Chyna asked, noticing the far away look in her eyes. Billy looked at this newbee with more than a little interest!
"Oh! Chyna! No, same old shit, just another day! It's Taker, what else can I say! He's been up to his old tricks again!" Judy was so mad, she was beyond caring!
Chyna smiled in understanding wondering just what he had done this time! Billy's interest cooled considerably hearing she was Taker's woman.
"Need a change in dressing rooms, huh? Well come with me! You can share mine!" Then Chyna introduced Billy Gunn! She had seen the look of interest in Billy's eyes. Judy smiled tightly as she shook hands with him.
Billy walked with them as far as Chyna's dressing room, cracking jokes the whole time. At the door, he stopped, telling Chyna he'd meet her after the show."We'll have dinner!" Chyna laughed and said ok!
Going on in to the dressing room, Judy settled herself in one of the club chairs. As in Taker's room, a fresh fruit and cheese tray sat on the low table between the two chairs. An ice bucket containing bottled water and fruit juice sat just behind the table.
Chyna came in dropping her bag on the floor. Dressed in tight jeans and a body hugging knit top, she drew many an admiring glance. But right now, she stood looking at the other woman for several minutes.
"Honey, do you want to talk about it?" Chyna asked, as she sat down in the other chair.
Sighing with feeling, Judy shook her head. "There's nothing to talk about! The bastard has been unfaithful AGAIN!" It never occurred to Judy who it might have been with!
Night had fallen and Kali was tired! The next exit was coming up, so she decided to find a motel for the night. She only had about fifty more miles to go, but right now, she needed food and a bed! Leaving the interstate, she pulled in to the brightly lit Howard Johnson's. Motels, restaurants and convenience stores stretched out in both directions near the off-ramps.
After checking in, Kali went next door to a Waffle House to get something to eat. Soon after, she went to her room, took a hot bath and went to bed. Kali was asleep almost instantly.
Taker paced the ring like a wild man as he waited for the new guy to step back into the ring. Judy was standing in his corner, looking more than just pissed. She had snatched her arm away from his grasp as they walked down the ramp! She was there, yet he suspected it was only until she made a decision about them. Glancing at her, he could still see the hurt and anger burning hotly in her eyes!
"What's up with Taker and what's her name? Faith? Looks like there's trouble in paradise!" Lawler said.
"Well King! She's been with the Phenom for a couple of weeks now, and yes her name is Faith! She does appear to be rather annoyed with the big man!" J.R. replied.
"Well...I don't know what their problem is, but every body needs a little "Faith"!" The King quipped!
J.R. shook his head, laughing softly at the King's remark. He couldn't help but wonder what was going on with Judy and Taker, as that one leaned over saying something to the woman outside of the ring. Even from where him and Lawler were sitting, the glare she gave Taker was obvious!
Taker's shirt was bloody! Lightening had broken open the deep scratches on his chest and back, getting them bleeding again! His look of surprise when he saw the blood staining Taker's shirt was quickly covered up when Taker growled at him to whip him into the corner! After delivering another vicious chop across the chest, Lightening finally got the pin on the American Badass! Judy followed Taker up the ramp. She was leaving as soon as she picked up her bag!
Judy followed him inside his dressing room, closing the door behind them. Stopping just inside the room, hands on hips, Judy stared at him as he sat down and hung his head. He refused to look at her.
"You BASTARD! Why?...Is one woman not enough for you? Or is it that I'm not enough woman for you?" She said in a voice thick with unshed tears! He didn't even lift his eyes to look at her! Judy left the room, slamming the door behind her!
After stopping at Chyna's dressing room to get her bag, she left the arena with eyes filled with tears. Kane and Lightening were nearly knocked over by Judy. The two men exchanged looks as she pushed passed them. Kane had seen the tears in her eyes and knew the reason for them! Taker! It could only be him!
"What's wrong with her?" Lightening asked with more than a little annoyance.
"My guess would be Taker!" Kane said watching her rapidly disappearing figure. He felt more than a little sympathy for her and intended to find out as soon as he got back to the hotel!
Chapter 42!~Kaliegh!
Kane had been in a good mood as he finished dressing after the show that night and prepared to go back to the hotel, intending to track down Taker and find out just what it was that he had done to Judy this time. His spirit quickly fell as he left the arena and was approached by a plain clothed detective, who handed him an envelope thick with papers.
Kane sighed heavily as he watched the man walk away. He knew with out having to look the documents that the envelope contained. He’d known that it would only be a matter of time, and thought that he had prepared himself. But he soon found that nothing he could have done would have prepared him for the pain he felt. He sincerely wished that he could turn back the clock and take back everything…all of his unfaithfulness, all of his lies, and all of the heartache that he had caused Kali. He loved her like no one else and knew that once she had loved him just as thoroughly, but somewhere along the way, he had messed up and messed up good at that. This was not the way he had intended for things to happen between them. He was a thousand times a fool, and he knew it.
Kane arrived back at the hotel and had decided that he’d talk to Taker at another time. He was not in the mood now to confront the big guy, especially when his actions of past were no better than those of Taker were. Kane found out though as he walked across the hotel lobby to the elevators what it was that he had done to upset Judy. The dark purple marks on Taker’s neck stood out from a mile away and Kane knew Judy well enough to know that if she left marks like that on her lover, it wouldn’t be in a spot for all to view. Taker had been unfaithful to her again.
Kane began making his way toward Taker, and was surprised that when Taker saw him coming, he took off in the opposite direction. Kane watched him for a second, wondering why Taker was trying to avoid him. He quickened his step and soon caught up with the other big man.
"Taker, what’s up?" Kane questioned, knowing Taker would understand exactly what he was getting at.
Taker looked away for a moment, unable to meet his friend’s eyes. Although it was clearly over between Kane and Kali, at that point in time, they were still married. He had slept with his best friend’s wife. And the fact that Taker could not get her or their unrestrained passion out of his mind, didn’t make it any better. Yet, at the same time, he did not regret what had happened between Kali and himself. He had never known anything like it. Every time he closed his eyes, vivid memories of that night flashed through his mind. His dreams while he slept were of nothing else. He just could not get her out of his mind.
Looking back over at Kane, Taker searched his mind for something to say, but Kane beat him to it.
"So I heard about what you said to Jericho and that you saw Kali." Kane asked casually, wondering why Taker would not look him in the eye when he spoke.
"Yeah." Was all Taker would say, his statement or tone of voice gave away nothing.
"Well? How is she?" Kane questioned when Taker said nothing further.
"She’s…uh.....Good." Taker answered, his words stuttered.
Kane studied Taker for a moment. "Even though I don’t approve of what you did with the situation concerning Kali and Jericho, I can understand why you did it. Hell, I probably would have done the same thing if our roles had been reversed." Kane stated and thought he saw a slight bit of relief cross Taker’s features before his statement became completely emotionless again.
Taker was somewhat relieved to hear that Kane was not angry with him over that whole thing. He was glad to have one less thing to worry about because if Kane ever found out that he’d slept with Kali, he’d be furious. Taker had seen Kane when he was furious and that was one thing he did not want to have to face.
"You okay? You seem a little down tonight." Taker questioned. Kane’s usually sparkling eyes were dull and his whole stance seemed defeated.
"Yeah, I guess. I just got the divorce papers from Kali on my way out of the arena. It just hit me what I’ve lost." Kane answered quietly.
"I’m sorry." Was all Taker knew to say. He felt bad for his friend.
"Not nearly as sorry as I am." Kane said as he shook his head sadly, still unable to believe that his marriage was over and that Kali was lost to him forever.
*****
Kali had only been asleep for a few hours when she was awakened by the sound of her ringing cell phone. She groaned irritably as she rolled over, wishing she had remembered to turn the thing off before going to sleep earlier. Her first thought was to not answer the call. She did not much feel like having any type of conversation with anybody. All she wanted to do was get more sleep. She was still exhausted, not only from the long hours of driving, but also from the many hours spent with Taker. She had never been so physically worn out before.
Rolling over to her right, Kali pulled her phone from her purse, having decided to take the call after all. She mumbled a sleepy ‘hello’ and waited for whomever was on the other end to speak.
"Kali? Where have you been? Are you okay? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you all day long. Chris was relieved to finally be hearing her voice. Not realizing that she had left Thief River Falls, he’d been trying to call her at home for hours and after not getting any answer, he’d began to become quite worried. He’d left the number for her cell phone back at the hotel in his other bag and hadn’t been able to get back to the hotel until late that night.
Kali’s breath caught in her throat when she first heard his voice. She felt her heart speed up and that familiar tingle coursed through her veins. She opened her mouth to express her happiness to be hearing from him finally after so long. Her words stopped in her throat though when she remembered why it was that he hadn’t spoken to him in so long. A heavy silence fell over them until Chris spoke again several moments later.
"Kal, I’m sorry." Chris began, but before he had a chance to say anything more, Kali spoke.
"You were supposed to be my friend, but instead you automatically assume that everything that Taker said to you was true. You didn’t even bother to get my side of the story first. You know what? Just forget it, Chris. I’m done. I can’t take anymore."
Chris could hear the deep aching hurt in her voice. It was so strong he could almost feel it vibrating through the phone. He again cursed himself for being fool enough to believe any of the words that had come out of Taker’s mouth.
"Please just listen to what I have to say." Chris pleaded, the desperation clear in his voice. He knew that if she was at least willing to hear him out, he still had a chance.
Again there was silence from Kali. Chris assumed that her silence as her willingness to listen to him so he pressed forward.
" I now know that everything Taker said to me about you was nothing but lies, which was something that I should have known in the first place anyway. I was wrong to refuse to talk to or see you, but Taker was very convincing with that note and everything. I know its no excuse, and you’re right, I acted like anything but your friend. After all that you’ve been through, I’m sorry for the additional pain that I caused you. I promised to be there for you, and I wasn’t."
Kali still remained quiet. She knew Chris well enough to know that his words were sincere and although she wanted nothing more than to be able to forgive him, she knew she couldn’t. His betrayal hurt her nearly as much as Kane’s had.
Chris sighed heavily, ready to give it all up. He had to give it one more try though. "Okay…I have just one more thing to say and then if that is the way you really want it to be, I’ll leave you alone. I won’t bother you again." Chris paused and took a deep breath before continuing.
"Kal, I love you. Whether you believe it or not, I love you more than anyone or anything in my life. If nothing else, just know how I truly feel about you." The only thing Chris heard was the sound of her tears as she hung up the phone and ended the call. Chris hung up his end of the line also as he silently vowed that he would make it up to her. One way or another, he would find a way to make up for his mistakes and he would win her again. He had one very big problem though. He had no idea where she was and she obviously wasn’t telling.
******
Kali slept for another four hours before she felt rested enough to be able to travel the rest of the way to her destination. The earlier phone call from Chris had left her even more exhausted and with a pounding headache. She felt like she was slowly losing her mind and didn’t know how to stop it. She just hoped that once she got settled into her new life that she would start to feel right again.
After taking a hot shower and grabbing a bite to eat, she decided that she wanted to talk to Judy. She didn’t exactly know why she was making the call though. The last thing she wanted to do was talk to anyone, but all the same, she picked up the phone and dialed the appropriate number. As she waited for Judy to answer, Kali again thought back to the night she had spent with Taker. She had to admit to herself though that if given the chance, she would most likely do it all over again. She did feel a slight twinge of regret. Not because she had slept with Taker, but because of Judy’s love for the man. But quite honestly, she just really did not care anymore. After everything, she had been beaten down and her emotions hardened to the point that she couldn’t feel anything for anyone anymore.
Kali was jarred out of her thoughts when she heard the line on the other end pick up and then her friend'’ voice.
"Judy, hi!" Kali said after Judy had said ‘hello.’ Kali tried to sound cheerful, but even to her, her voice sounded incredibly fake. "How are you?"
"I’m fine, but how are you? And where are you?" Judy asked, feeling a sense of relief wash over her at hearing her friend’s voice. She had begun to become a little bit more than worried about Kali after not hearing from her in so long.
"I’m fine. Look, I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner. I needed some time, but I shouldn’t have excluded you from my life. I was being selfish I guess." Kali answered.
"I understand." Judy said and then paused for a moment. She felt bad for the hell that Kali had been through lately. But now it seemed like Kali was starting to come around again. Judy was happy. She was anxious to have her friend back.
"Um…I don’t know if this is a good thing to bring up or not, but I assume that you saw Taker?" Judy asked, hoping that Kali could give her some insight as to what Taker had been up to while he was there. It never even occurred to Judy that Kali had been the one to leave the tell-all marks of passion on Taker’s body.
"Yeah, I did." Was Kali’s answer.
Judy sighed deeply. "He’s up to his old games again. He showed up in Chicago with hickeys and scratches on his chest and back. I was just wondering if he had these when you saw him."
"Uh…No, not that I saw." Kali replied in a shaky voice as images of that night flashed through her mind.
Judy heard Kali’s voice waver and wondered what she was hiding. Why would she be covering Taker’s back. Before she had a chance to say anything, Kali spoke.
"Look, I know this might sound harsh, but I’m going to say it anyway." Kali stopped for a moment and took a deep breath before going on. "You’ve known from day one what Taker is like. You need to either kick him to the curb or learn to deal with it because by the looks of it, he isn’t about to stop anytime soon."
Judy was shocked at first by Kali’s blunt statement, but as she thought about it, Judy knew Kali was right. Some things were easier said than done though. "I know. Which is exactly why I’m going back home for a few days before joining the WWF again. Then once my contract with the company is done, I’m totally and completely through with him. But what about you? Have you talked to Kane or Chris lately?" Judy asked.
"No, I haven’t spoken to Kane since the night before I left for Boston. I don’t expect to be talking to him any time soon either. And Chris….He just called earlier asking for another chance, but…." Kali trailed off, unable to go any further. Judy felt bad for her friend, knowing all too well the pain that Kali had to be feeling in her heart at that moment. Kali had been so in love with Kane. It really saddened Judy when she thought of how happy Kali had been with Kane before everything went to hell. She hated to see things end like that. And although Judy didn’t really know what Kali felt for Chris…if it was just on a "friends only" level or if her feelings had become something more over time.
"I’m sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked." Judy said, wishing that Kali would open up to her. She seemed so distant.
"Don’t worry about it. I’m done with both of them." Kali replied and then spoke again after pausing to light a cigarette. "Well, I’m sorry to cut this short, but I’ve got to get going. I’ll talk to you again soon." Kali said her ‘good-bye’ and before Judy could say anything, the line went dead. Judy just sat there for a moment thinking about the strange conversation that she’d just had with Kali. She definitely was not herself, that much Judy could definitely tell.
Minutes later, Kali had checked out of the hotel and was back in her car. As she turned onto the interstate heading west, she turned on the radio. Her favorite song, "Wonderful" by EverClear was playing on the local station. She twisted the volume knob until it was as high as it would go and sang the words aloud as she drove down the road.
"That is impossible! There is no way that test can be right!" Kali was in shock as the words came from her mouth. Several weeks had passed and Kali hadn’t been feeling well. She was exhausted and felt nauseous a good part of the time. She thought with all of the stress and the long hours she had been working to get established at her new job that she had just become plain worn out and was coming down with the flu or something. Turned out she was way wrong.
"Well, you are welcome to another test or if you’d like to get a second opinion, feel free. But I can tell you that these tests are 99.9% accurate and your next test results will be the same as this one. You can get a false negative, but there is never a false positive." The nurse explained to Kali as she wrote down some notes in her chart.
"I just lost a baby. There’s no way I can be having another one. I only slept with one person and I haven’t even had a period since then. There has got to be some kind of mistake." Kali still denied that she was pregnant although if she had really thought about it, all the classic signs were there. Deep down she knew that the test she had just taken was right, but she just didn’t want to believe it.
"I take it that this pregnancy wasn’t planned." The nurse commented as she glanced at Kali’s left hand and saw no wedding rings there.
"No, it wasn’t." Kali replied quietly as it finally began to sink in that she really was pregnant.
"What about the father? Is he in the picture at all?" She questioned as gently as possible. She had seen a lot of women in this situation and it never got any easier.
"No. I didn’t even plan to be with him that night, let alone end up pregnant by him." Kali’s mind was racing as she tried to figure out what she was going to do. Of course she would keep the baby. The thought of terminating the pregnancy or adoption never once entered her mind.
"Well, I’m sure that this isn’t what you really want to hear, but I think the first thing you should do is contact the father. He has a right to know." The nurse paused for a moment and studied the young woman sitting before her. She could tell that Kali hadn’t had it easy lately. She smiled as she began to speak again.
"In the mean time, make an appointment to come back in one month." She finished as she got up and prepared to leave the room. "Oh, by the way….I forgot to tell you what your due date is. It’s March 24. You’re 7 weeks along."
"Thanks." Kali said as she watched the nurse leave. She let out a long breath as she leaned her head on the back of the chair. Not only was she pregnant with Taker’s baby, she was due on his birthday to top it off.
Kali sat there several minutes longer as she thought about everything. She did finally come to one decision. She would call Taker first thing when she got home.
Taker agreed to come to Rapid City to see her but he would not be able to make it until the weekend which was still four days away. Kali was a wreck for those four days. She was scared about how Taker would react to what she had to tell him. When Saturday finally arrived she paced the rooms of her apartment until the time came until she had to leave for the airport to pick him up. She arrived there just as his flight was landing.
As Taker came through the gate into the airport, he felt his breath catch in his throat when his eyes touched on her and pictures of the night they spent together raced through his mind. Even though he had not seen her in weeks, he still had thought about her and their night of passion frequently and had even thought about calling her on several occasions, but thinking that she wouldn’t want to even talk to him, he never made the calls. He was surprised to say the least when she had called him and asked him to come to see her. She had told him over the phone that there was something that they needed to talk about, but she wouldn’t go into any further detail. Taker had wondered constantly all week why she wanted to see him, and now finally he was going to find out.
"Hey, how are you doing?" Taker asked as he walked over to where Kali was waiting.
Kali looked up at him and their eyes locked. Much like Taker, images of their night together invaded her thoughts and for a moment she was unable to speak.
"I’m good." Kali replied as soon as her voice finally decided to cooperate with her. "How about yourself?"
Taker smiled down at her. "Well, I have to admit that the curiosity is about to kill me. Otherwise I’m good. What was it that you needed talk to me about?" Taker questioned, unable to wait any longer.
"Uh…Well, I’ll tell you as soon as we get out of here. You want to get a drink or something. Coffee maybe?"
"Coffee would be great." Taker replied, his voice soft and deep. It sent a shiver along Kali’s spine that she tried to ignore, but found it nearly impossible.
They arrived at a small coffeehouse that was not far from where Kali lived. She often stopped there on her way to work in the morning so she knew the place. She and Taker made small talk while they waited for the waitress to bring their orders. With each second that ticked by, the more nervous Kali became. Taker noticed her anxious state and wondered at the cause of it. He would soon find out because at that moment, the waitress brought their order. As soon as she walked away, Kali took a deep breath and looked over at Taker, meeting his eyes.
"I’m pregnant." She simply stated, figuring there was no use beating around the bush. "About 8 weeks now. My due date is on your birthday…March 24."
Kali watched his eyes widen with surprise as he absorbed the news. It didn’t even occur to him to question if he was the father of the child, he knew instinctively that he was. He smiled softly and opened his mouth to speak, but Kali beat him to it.
"I’d appreciate if you’d keep this between you and I for now. I know that every one is going to find out eventually, but for now I’d like to keep it quiet." Kali asked him to keep the secret. Again, he wanted to say something, but was stopped when Kali continued.
"One other thing, Taker…." She paused for a moment and lit a cigarette thinking that she really needed to quit again. "Look, I know that you have two other children and I think that you should keep them your top priority. What I’m saying is that I don’t expect you to "be there" for the baby or I. And I don’t want you to think that I did this purposely to get back at you or anything. I know you have a lot going on in your life and don’t need this added weight on your shoulders. We’ll get by just fine by ourselves, but I did want you to know about the baby." Kali finished as she put her head down and focussed her attention on her hands. She didn’t want Taker to see the tears that had begun to fill her eyes.
Taker reached out, covering her small hands with one of his own while he carefully tilted her head up until she looked into his eyes. Her breath caught once again at his gentle touch and from the look she saw in his eyes. She felt her hands begin to tremble underneath his, but the shaking stopped when he tightened his hold on her hands.
"Yes, I can keep this quiet as long as you’d like. I can well understand why you would want to. To say that the "shit is going to hit the fan" when this comes out is a huge understatement. However, I do not regret for one instant that this happened." Taker began and then continued when he saw the look of relief cross her features.
"And I am going to be there for you and the baby." Taker stated with a smile. "So much that you’ll probably get sick of me."
Kali looked down at the table again. She really did not know what to say. She had expected Taker’s reaction to be much different than this. She thought for sure that he would deny that the baby was his and give her a hard time about it. She still kept the possibility in mind that could still happen, but for now, she was happy with the way he had taken the news.
Looking back up at him, she smiled for the first time in a long, long time. She was taken by surprise when he took her hand in his, pulled her to her feet and drew her close to his body.
"Let’s get out of here." Taker said as he slowly ran a long finger down her cheek.
All Kali could do was nod her head as she saw the heated look in his eyes. She followed him out to her car and gave him direction to where she lived as he slid behind the wheel and started the car up. They arrived there a short time later and didn’t leave until late the next morning.
Chapter 43!~Judy!
Judy was confused by Kali's phone call. Something was wrong! Something wasn't right! One thing was certain...she and Taker would be having a long talk once he returned from where ever he disappeared to! Kali had been right about one thing! It was time they went their separate ways! She WOULD NOT live with a man she couldn't trust! Life was too short for that! Thing was...Judy loved Taker! It would be hard to not have him in her life, but she couldn't "live" with a man that cheated on her!
She had a flight home in an hour! Having the next three days off was reason enough to go home! The next show would be in Wheeling, West Virginia, so she actually could get an extra day at home!
Kane and his new friend, Lightening, were also going to the airport, so Judy caught a ride with them. In fact, they were on the same flight!
"You ok?" Kane asked softly. His eyes searched her faced intently.
"I'll survive!" She said tightly, as they headed toward the airport shuttle van.
Kane shook his head in disgust at what she was going through. He knew Taker had hurt her yet again, possibly for the last time! In spite of his own problems, Kane's heart went out to her, sensing her pain.
Lightening hadn't said anything...hadn't asked anything, yet he too, knew her pain! Silently he climbed in beside her, aware of the sudden tension in her posture.
Kane's eyes met Light's questioningly! Lightening met his honestly, then shifted slightly toward Judy as if to ask what was up! He put his arm across the back of the seat leaning slightly toward her in a protective manner. Kane had to drop his head, hiding the hint of a smile that touched his lips. He could see he needed to bring Light up date on THAT matter!
Taker arrived at the arena in Wheeling early that afternoon! His good humor and relaxed state was quite obvious for all to see. Chyna spotted him as he made his way to the dressing room area, stopping him for just a moment!
"Well, Taker! You look like you've been on vacation someplace! You and Judy make up?" She asked innocently, smiling up at the big man.
"Thanks Chyna. I DO feel rested! But no, I wasn't with Judy. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason! I just assumed you two may have spent your off days together! I really like her! She's got a gentle way about her, yet has a strength of character not often found in this business!" She replied!
"Yeah, she's special!" A faint smile touched his lips as he eyed her with more than a little suspicion as to her motives.
"Well...see ya later!" Chyna smiled as she turned away. Carrying her cup of coffee with her, Chyna headed back to her dressing room. She was already dressed for the ring.
Judy was already dressed for their match, which was scheduled to be the last. Yet her thoughts were not on the match, but on her son, as she paced the confines of the room nervously. Brent had agreed to stay with the twins till she came back in ten days. Morgan was taking a cold and she hadn't wanted to leave him or bring him along, because of it. Brent had reassured her Morgan would be fine. Told her kids got sick for no reason, all the time.
"I'll call you if he gets worse, so there's no need for you to worry. Besides, Kaitlyn will most likely catch it from Morgan. And you won't be able to do your job if you have two sick kids to deal with." He reasoned. Morgan was testy when he got sick, got fussy as hell!
Kaitlyn was jabbering to her brother, trying to cheer him up. Running a slight temperature, being fussy, Morgan pushed her down, giving her a sullen look! Kaitlyn teared up, bottom lip trembling, the little girl let out a howl of outrage just before getting back to her feet, and giving her brother a hearty whack on his red stuffy nose. Morgan immediately let out a howl of pain, and began to cry in earnest. Kaitlyn's tears dried up instantly, as she stared at her brother. She began trying to console her brother, but Morgan was having none of it. In a flash, he had pushed her down again! Now both of them were screaming bloody murder.
Judy and Brent had watched the exchange then burst out laughing, each picking up one of the toddlers. As Judy dried her daughter's tears, she looked over at Brent.
"They are growing so fast. They'll be talking by Christmas!" She said shaking her head in wonder.
In the end, she had taken Brent's advice and left them both. Judy cried at having to do it, but Brent was right, she couldn't cope with two cranky kids right now! She had to talk to Taker!
Judy looked up as he entered the dressing room. Seeing the sly smirk he wore, not to mention the look she knew all too well, in his eyes. She knew he had just left the woman he was seeing. Biting her lip against the pain this thought brought, she swallowed hard past the lump in her throat!
"Well! What a surprise!" She couldn't help the catty tone from creeping in! Her blue eyes bright with anger as she met his green ones!
"How you doin? Enjoy your days off?" He asked, a hint of sarcasm crept into his voice in response to her tone.
"I thought you might come and see the kids, since you had the same time off." She said softly, getting her emotions under control with some effort!
Taker eyed her suspiciously, wondering what she was up to. He set his bag down on the floor next to a chair. Easing his huge body down into that same chair, he watched her closely, waiting for her to continue, her expression unreadable.
Judy fidgeted slightly, as she too took a seat. Her bag was also on the floor next to her chair, still packed. Taker noticed this as she un-zipped a side pocket to get her cigarettes. He lifted an eyebrow in surprise. He had never seen her smoke since she told him she was pregnant with the twins. She didn't say anything till after lighting one up. Judy stared at him through the smoke, still not saying anything. Her thoughts raced as she tried to think of the best way to broach the subject. Finally, she decided to just ask him.
"Are you seeing another woman?" Her voice was soft, low, only slightly louder than a whisper.
Surprised by the question, and by her bluntness, Taker couldn't hide it from her, and honestly didn't try too hard.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am! I hadn't meant to. It just happened!" Taker didn't lie to her or even try to sugar coat it! He felt he owed her that!
"How long has this been going on?" She asked dully, unwilling to meet his gaze.
"Not long!" He said, knowing he was hurting her, but unable to help it.
"Who is she?" Her voice had gotten harder and stronger as she looked into those beautiful green eyes!
"That's not important, is it?" He said coolly.
Swallowing past the lump in her throat, Judy took one last deep drag from her cigarette, then dropped it in the beer he had brought in with him. Picking up her bag, she stood up to leave, looking at him with cold eyes.
"You stay away from me and my babies! Stay out of my life! We don't need you or anything FROM you!" There was no mistaking the hatred in her voice.
"You can't do that! I have a right to see my kids!" He said angrily, coming to his feet as well!
"My attorney will contact yours to set up visitation! SUPERVISED visitation!" She said coldly! Picking up her bag, she started to leave the room. Stopping just inside the door, she looked back at him. "Oh, and a Taker? You go straight to HELL!" And with that, she closed the door behind her.
Judy found J.R. and told him she was going home for good! She told him it was too hard for her to leave them when they were sick...and that she could no longer stand to be around Taker.
"I'm sorry to hear that!" He said sympathically. "Please have a seat!" He indicated the chair right across from him.
Sitting down, she waited to hear what he had to say. She had a feeling she wasn't going to like it!
"I thought as much! Go home! Take two weeks off! But I want you to think about this! You only agreed to six months. You only have about three left. Let me see if I can work something out so you wouldn't have to work with Taker. When you come back, then we'll talk again. In the meantime, may I call you if I come up with something else for you to do?" He asked, his voice filled with kindness and understanding.
Judy thought about then reluctantly agreed! "I'll see you in Texas then! AND...I'll be wanting my own room!" She said, then got up and walked out!
J.R. shook his head as he watched her leave. Just then, a thought occurred to him, but he would need to talk to Kane before he mentioned it to her. Maybe something could be worked out so she could accompany either Kane or his friend Lightening! He needed to talk to Kane NOW! J.R. left his office and went in search of the Big Red Machine!
Brent was surprised when Judy returned home just a few hours after leaving. She refused to discuss it with him, merely saying she MAY not be going back at all. After a long restless night, she had finally reached a decision.
After contacting her attorney and instructing him on what she wanted done, she sat down with a cup of hot chocolate and watched it snow. A major cold front was passing through and according to the weather station, they were suppose to get around 18 inches of the white stuff. Kali called later that afternoon, which surprised Judy, since no one knew she would be at home.
Their conversation didn't last very long. Judy was rather terse with her, and suspicious of the fact Kali couldn't offer a believable excuse for her calling Judy at home rather than on her cell phone. After hanging up, she sat there, her mind a million miles away, when an idea came to her.
Picking up the phone, she punched in Kane's cell number. He answered it almost immediately.
"Hey Judy, what's up?" He was glad to hear from her. Kane had been planning to call her later any way to discuss J.R.'s idea.
"Is Taker still there, or did he take off again?" She needed verification of her suspicions.
"Well, funny you should ask, but he took off right after the show last night. Said something about catching up in a couple of days. Did you need to talk to him?" Kane asked.
"Did he happen to say where he was going?" Judy ignored the big man's question, waiting with bated breath for his answer.
"NO....I don't think he did!" Kane wondered what was going on.
"OK....thanks for your help. Talk to you soon!" Soon as she hung up the phone, she check her caller ID and got Kali's number.
Going to her computer, Judy immediately went to People Search and typed in the pertinent information and within minutes had what she wanted. Next, she called the airport to reserve a seat on the next flight out. Luckily one was leaving in a few hours, and even arranged for a rental car on the other end to be waiting for her. Brent didn't like her plans, but was unable to talk her out of it.
Shortly after midnight, Judy was sitting outside of Kali's apartment calling herself 10 kinds of a fool for letting her jealousy get the best of her....for making her suspect her best friend...and for being a complete idiot where Taker was concerned.
Sitting there in the dark, she looked up at what she knew was Kali's apartment. At that moment a light came on and someone came to look out at the snow falling. It was Taker! He was bare to the waist, and had obviously just gotten out of bed. Her heart froze, leaving her feeling dead inside by this final betrayal.
As she watched, Kali came up behind him, slipping her slim arms around his waist. He pulled her around in front of him, holding her close. Kali glanced out and happened to see Judy staring up, a shocked look on her distraught face. Smiling secretly, Kali pressed herself suggestively against Taker's huge body, rubbing his crotch as his lips claimed her own. When Kali next looked out, the red Jeep Judy had been driving, was gone.
Chapter 44!~Kaliegh
Brent knew immediately that Judy’s suspicions had been confirmed the moment she walked through the door. The sheer pain in her eyes broke his heart as she sat down heavily in a chair by the kitchen table. Brent poured her a cup of coffee and set it down in front of her and then settled himself in a chair across from her. He said nothing, waiting until she was ready to talk.
Judy didn’t say anything for several minutes. She stared down into her cup of coffee as she fought back the tears that she thought that she had none left of. Finally she lifted her eyes to Brent’s and spoke.
"He was there…at Kali’s. I saw them through the window of her apartment and it was pretty apparent that it wasn’t a social call that he was making." Judy paused as the vivid memory of Taker and Kali together flashed through her mind. She shook her head slightly, trying to get those awful images gone.
"I still can’t believe it. I mean, I would expect something like this from Taker. But Kali? I would have never in a million years thought that she would betray me like this. We’ve been friends for so long…." Judy trailed off, unable to go on any further. She closed her eyes, moaning softly in anguish as her mind again replayed Taker and Kali together. She kept on seeing the satisfied smile on Kali’s face as she pressed against Taker’s solid body and his lips came down on hers. It was several minutes before she was able to speak again.
"I suspect that this all started when I sent Taker to tell Kali face to face about the lies that he had told Jericho. It was four months ago that he went there and when he joined the tour again in Chicago, he had hickeys and scratches on his chest and back. I just never put two and two together. I just don’t understand it though. Those two didn’t even get along before. Taker went out of his way to make her life hell. I guess things have changed recently. I know that I’ve said it before, but I am totally and completely done with Taker…once and for all. As for Kali…I just don’t know. I really don’t think that I can be her friend anymore either." Judy finished as she ran a shaky hand through her hair as she got up from the table.
"I’m exhausted. I’m going to bed." Before Brent could say anything, Judy was gone from the room.
"I’ll miss you." Kali said softly as Taker pulled her into his arms, holding her close to his big body. He was getting ready to leave to go back on the road later that night.
"Come with me." He whispered huskily against her neck before he turned his head and covered her lips with his while one of his big hands settled on the slight bump in her belly where their baby grew.
Kali pulled back and stared up at him, her blue eyes wide. "As much as I’d love to, do you really think that is a good idea?" She asked as she ran her hands up his massive chest, causing a rough groan to erupt from deep within him.
"Why not?" Taker answered her question with a question of his own as he leaned forward and once again claimed her lips in a kiss that had both of them spinning when it ended. Kali pulled back slightly and looked up at him. She instantly found herself lost in those beautiful green eyes.
"If you’re worried about any potential confrontations, you don’t have to go to any of the shows. You can stay at the hotel and I won’t leave until I absolutely have to. Please…even if it is only for a few days, I want you to be with me." Taker’s eyes never left hers, letting her know just how sincere he was being. He didn’t want to leave her anymore than she wanted him to go.
Kali thought about it for only a moment before she smiled and nodded her head. "Okay, I should be able to get a few days off from work…" She had begun to say but was stopped as his mouth sought hers in another passionate kiss and he scooped her up in his arms, carrying her to the bedroom.
Taker rescheduled his flight and also booked a seat for Kali. They left for the airport early the next morning. Four hours later, Taker and Kali arrived in Miami.
Judy’s life had slowly returned to ‘normal’ in the time that had passed since she’d found out about Taker and Kali. She had been working with Kane and Lightning and had only one more month left. And although Jim Ross had approached her on a few different occasions, Judy did not want her contract renewed, even though Brent had offered to travel with her to help out with the babies for no extra charge. That wasn’t the kind of life that she wanted for Morgan and Kaitlyn.
Taker had stopped by several times to see the kids, but it was always when she was gone on the road. Brent was well aware of the stipulations when it came to Taker visiting the twins, and Judy didn’t mind one bit that she wasn’t there when he was. She couldn’t stand the sight of him. She had not seen or talked to Kali either nor did she know that her one time friend was pregnant.
Judy had gone out with Lightning a couple of times for dinner and drinks and genuinely found herself enjoying his company. She didn’t know if their relationship would ever go any further than them being friends, but she had to admit that she wouldn’t mind if it did.
Kali walked with Taker down to his rental car when he left for the arena. She had forgotten her laptop in the car and wanted to get some work done while he was gone. He waited until the last possible second to leave and promised to be back as soon as his match was over. He had talked her into attending the SmackDown tapings the next night, although it really didn’t take a whole lot of convincing on his part. After a searing kiss, Taker got into his car and left while Kali went back into the hotel.
She was walking across the lobby to the elevators when she heard someone calling her name. She froze in her tracks, immediately recognizing Chris’ voice. She took a deep breath and silently counted to ten to help calm herself. By time she turned around, he had caught up to her.
Chris didn’t say anything for several minutes. He just stood there and stared at her, taking all of her in with his eyes. After having not seeing her in months, he didn’t want to miss a thing. He had missed her so much and had thought of her frequently. He hated the way that they had parted. His feelings had not changed in her absence, but had only grown stronger since he’d last spoken to her. He noticed that it looked like she had put on an extra pound or two, but he thought that she was till absolutely stunning.
"How are you doing, Kal?" Chris asked as he searched her eyes, hating the cold look that he saw there, and knowing that he was partly to blame for it.
"I’m fine." Was her response, her voice icy as she spoke to him. She stopped for a moment and when Chris didn’t say anything, she continued.
"What do you want Chris?" She questioned impatiently. She was tired and really not in the mood to deal with him right at that moment. "I just wanted to see how you’ve been. And…I guess I was kind of curious as to why you are here. Are you here to see Judy?"
Kali sighed irritably, her mood rapidly declining. "Well, as you can see, I’m doing just wonderfully. And no, I’m not here to see Judy." She snapped at him and then paused for a moment. Chris held his breath, hoping against all hope that she would tell him that she had come to Miami to see him.
"Actually I’m here with Taker." Kali told him. She began walking away, but turned back.
"I guess I really did want to fuck him after all." With that said, she turned and walked away.
Chris was stunned as he watched her walk away. Her change in attitude was unsettling for him, knowing that it all could have been avoided. And had she really just said that she was with Taker? He couldn’t believe and thought that maybe he had heard her wrong, although he knew deep down that he hadn’t. He stood there shocked and confused for a long time before he finally headed back to his room. He still loved her more than anything, but if she couldn’t love him back, he would have to respect that. The thought of not having her in his life anymore was nearly enough to kill him though.
Kane had just stepped off of the elevator and rounded the corner to go to his room when he saw Kali letting herself into the room that he knew was Taker’s. Not yet knowing that she and Taker were together, this surprised and confused the big man. He watched as she went into the room and closed the door behind her. Could it be? Judy had once mentioned some time ago that Taker was seeing some one else, but nothing more was said after that when she made it apparent that she did not want to talk about it. But Kane would have never guessed that it was Kali. Those two hated each other. He had listened to Kali cuss Taker up one side and back down the other on more than one occasion. Apparently there had been a drastic change since then. Kane fully intended to find out just exactly what was up. Kane walked up to the door that he had just seen Kali go in and pounded on it, waiting for her to open up.
Kali had just sat down and began working on one of her new projects when she heard the knock on the door.. She still had three weeks to finish it, but she liked to get things done. "Now what?" She said out loud, angry over the interruption in her work. She walked over to the door and yanked it open, expecting to find Chris on the other side since she had just spoken to him. She was surprised when she found Kane standing there instead.
"What the hell are you doing?" Kane demanded before Kali had a chance to say anything. "Are you here with Taker?"
"Well, hello to you too Kane. How are you?" Kali did not even try to prevent the sarcasm that laced her voice. He had a hell of a lot of nerve to be questioning her about anything.
"Quit ignoring my questions! Are you here with Taker?" He asked once again, his tone as cold as the statement on his face. He knew he was being harsh, but he felt helpless to prevent it as jealousy raged through his big body.
Kali narrowed her eyes angrily as she glared up at him. "Not that its any of your damn business, but since you want to know so bad….Yes, I am here with Taker." Kali shot back at him, her voice thick with fury.
Kane took a shocked step back and just stood there looking at her. He caught sight of her belly and slowly began to realize that not only was she with Taker, she was also pregnant. It was then that he fully understood the impact that his unfaithfulness had on her life for her to turn to Taker, thinking that he would be able to provide for her what Kane hadn’t been able to. Kane felt his heart sink, knowing deep down that the out come of this whole situation would only be bad for her.
Kane looked back up at her face, the hard look in his eyes softening. If he had any hope at all of talking some sense into her, he was going to have to remain calm.
"Why Taker, Kal? He doesn’t love you." Kane said softly, his voice filled with genuine concern.
"Yes, he does." Kali told him as she crossed her arms over her chest and fixed her cold blue stare on her now ex-husband.
"No, he doesn’t!" Kane’s voice was stronger this time and held a hint of frustration. She was so damn stubborn sometimes.
Kali was getting sick of this game. What the hell did Kane care if Taker loved her or not? Hell, she didn’t even know if Taker did. She doubted it, but she quite honestly didn’t care. She thought that it would be great if he did, but if not, she would survive. "How the hell would you know anyway, Kane? So what if he doesn’t. Like that’s anything different for me!"
Kane immediately knew that she was referring to their marriage and the times that he had cheated on her. He saw a brief flash of hurt in her eyes before they turned stone hard again. The big difference was that he'd loved her…he still did. Taker, on the other hand, didn’t love her now and he probably never would. Of course, Kane knew that he could be totally wrong, but he didn’t think so.
"What exactly are you hoping to accomplish here, Kane? We are no longer married. What I do is none of your concern!" Kali said to him with a weary sigh. She had been in a good mood when Taker left. After seeing Chris, she was in a bad mood. And now, she was in a worse mood. Her head was beginning to pound from the tension that she was feeling.
"I just don’t want to see you get hurt…" Kane began, but was cut off before he could finish.
"Oh gee thanks! Thanks a whole fucking lot, Kane! Nice of you to think of that now!" Her blue eyes were lit with anger, and her temper gone as she yelled at him. She’d had enough.!
Kane grabbed a hold of her shoulders, forcing her to look into his eyes. "Kal, listen to me, please! Taker is no good for you. He is just going to break your heart. He doesn’t love you. Hell, he probably doesn’t even like you. He is just using you. You are nothing more than another one of his whores!" The words were out of his mouth before he was able to stop them. Kane immediately regretted saying what he just had.
"I’m sorry, Kali! I didn’t mean to…" Kane tried to apologize, but stopped when he saw the deep hurt in her eyes. He opened his mouth to speak again, but all words left him. All he could do was stand there and see the damage that his words had caused.
Not wanting to hear anymore from him, Kali jerked out of Kane’s grasp and stepped back. She gave him one final look and then slammed the door shut in his face. Kane growled deeply with frustration as he turned around and smashed his fist into the nearest wall. The force behind the blow cracked his wrist in two places, although he wasn’t aware of the injury until later the next day. The only pain he felt at that time, was the pain in his heart.
After slamming the door shut, Kali turned around and leaned against the door, sliding down until she was sitting on the floor. Tears filled her eyes as she rested her head on her bent knees. She was still sitting there two hours later when Taker came back, but finally she had come to a decision.
After his confrontation with Kali, Kane went down to the hotel bar. He got his drink and was looking for a quite place to sit alone and chill out. He finally spotted an empty table in the back corner and started towards it. He was about half way there when he caught sight of Judy and Lightning motioning for him to join them. He hesitated, really just wanting to be alone, but then he decided that it wouldn’t hurt to have one drink with them. Maybe it was just what he needed to help lift his sunken spirits.
Both Lighting and Judy noticed his sullen mood but said nothing. They didn’t want to push the big man, knowing that when and if he felt like talking about it, he would, and not a second before.
Kane did think briefly of asking Judy if she knew whom it was that Taker was seeing, but then decided against it. He knew she was trying her best to deal with all the problems that she had with Taker and he didn’t want to bring any more down on her. He decided that if she did bring it up, he would tell her what he knew, but until then he was keeping quiet.
Just a short time later, all three of them were well on their way to being good and drunk. Kane had pushed all thoughts of Kali far from his mind for the time being and actually found himself flirting with Judy, just as Lightning was. After another round, Judy suddenly stood up and declared that she was leaving and if Kane and Lightning wanted to join her, they better come now.
Kali jumped to her feet when she heard Taker was back and he was unlocking the door. She walked back into the room and over to the bed where she had left her bag earlier. She was just pulling on her jacket when Taker opened the door and stepped in. He noticed immediately her tear stained face, and her red, swollen eyes. He walked over and pulled her into his arms. He tried to bring her closer to his big body to comfort her, but her body was stiff in his arms. It was then that he realized that she had her jacket on as if she was about ready to leave some where when he came back. She sighed as she pulled back from him and looked up into his eyes.
"While you were gone, some one said some thing that really made me think, Taker." She began and then paused and took a deep breath to calm herself. She had to get this out,
"This isn’t going to work." Kali told him straight out and clearly saw the shock on his face upon hearing her words. She looked away, unable to meet his eyes for a few moments.
"Lord, what was I ever thinking?" Kali said more to herself than to Taker. She felt absolutely horrible. She turned her eyes back to his as she moved completely out of his arms.
"Who did you talk to…" Taker began to ask, but stopped when she held her hand up to silence him.
"That doesn’t matter who, its what he said that really made me see things for the first time." She told him and was about to continue when Taker spoke.
"He? Who was it? Taker asked again, although he already knew that it was either Kane or Jericho. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
Kali sighed in exasperation. Damn the man was persistent! "It was Kane, okay!" Kali began pacing the small room. "Look Taker…This isn’t going to work. I’m going back home. I’d like for us to remain close as friends, for the baby, but we can’t let this continue."
Taker was stunned. Kane would surely have hell to pay, when he got a hold of him. "Why?" Was the only word that Taker could manage to speak, although there was a million things that he wanted to say to her. He just couldn’t find his voice right at that moment.
"This isn’t where you belong Taker. You belong with Judy, I know that now. And so do you. Deep down you know you do." She told him as she picked up her bag and began walking towards the door. She didn’t even have a flight out yet, but she had to get out of there. She had her hand on the doorknob when she heard his voice again.
"But what about you?" He asked as he closed the distance between them with three big steps.
Kali looked up at him as a tear slid down her cheek. "I’ll be fine, Taker. Don’t worry." She answered, although she wasn’t completely sure herself.
Taker stared down at her for several minutes before he slowly leaned forward and kissed her passionately one last time. The next thing he knew, she was gone from his arms, and out the door.
Chapter 45!~Judy!
Light headed down the hall to his room, whistling tunelessly. A satisfied look on his handsome face, Light didn't see Taker standing there watching him, until he was nearly abreast of the larger man.
"OH! Morning Taker!" He said brightly, noticing the sullen, quiet anger in those intense green eyes.
"You sleep with her?" Taker asked tightly, glaring at the man.
Light looked at him in confusion, tilting his head slightly to the side. "I don't know who you mean?"
"Judy, DAMMIT! That's who I mean! Did you sleep with her?" He growled fiercely! His hands balled into fists.
"Actually, I don't think "sleep" is quite the right word to use, Taker. I thought it was over between you two!" Light replied, feigning innocence.
"Stay away from her ass-hole! She's not for you!" A muscle twitched uncontrollably in his cheek as he glared at the younger man. Without another word, he turned and stormed away.
Light grinned as he watched Taker head toward the elevators. The rigid set of his shoulders, the jealous tone of his voice told him Taker still thought of her as his own...even though he was fucking Kane's ex-wife!
Judy found that she was actually hungry, after having a shower. All packed and ready for the flight out for the next show, Judy made her way down stairs to the restaurant where Light was waiting for her.
Light looked up as she approached his table. He couldn't help but grin at her appearance. With her long hair pulled back in a thick braid, no makeup, jeans and a simple cotton blouse, Judy looked more like a teenager than the mother of twins!
"You look better! Are you hungry?" Light asked, coming to his feet while she took a seat across from him.
"Matter of fact, I'm famished! Thanks for the compliment! I DO feel better!" She smiled back, picking up a cup of coffee and taking a sip. "See you cleaned up some, too!"
Laughing softly, he had taken the time to shower and change clothes. "Oh! I've taken the liberty of ordering for you! Should be here shortly!"
All too soon, it was time to board another plane for yet another show, in yet another city. Thank GOD, she only had about three weeks left on her contract. How she longed to go home and pick up the threads of her life!
Kane had a brace of sorts on his wrist. That was the first thing she noticed as he took his seat. Kane, Light, and Judy usually sat together on flights, or shared a car if the trip was a short one.
"You ok?" She asked, concern for him showing in her deep blue eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Broke it in a fit of temper the other night!" Kane said, annoyed he'd let his temper get the best of him.
"What on earth set you off?" She asked curiously. Kane usually controlled his temper better than that. What ever it was, must have been pretty bad to make her friend lose it like that!
Kane didn't answer her while Light took his seat on her other side.
"Hey guys! Kane, what the hell have you done to your wrist?" Light asked ignoring the fierce look Kane shot him!
Judy glanced over at Kane to see if he would answer. He mumbled some lame excuse that even SHE wouldn't buy, but since it was his business, Judy let it alone.
Taker boarded the plane moments later. This surprised her as it was his custom of late, to take a different flight. Nor could she miss the heated glare he gave Light. Light merely smiled pleasantly at the bigger man. Taker took a seat directly behind them.
Leaning close to Light, she asked softly "What was that all about?"
"What? I don't know what you mean?" He replied innocently, meeting her eyes levelly.
"Yes you do! You know I don't like games...don't PLAY games! And I DO want a straight answer later!" She said softly, a flicker of annoyance flared up in her eyes that he was being less than honest with her.
Light smiled a bit smugly...a bit too innocently. "I really don't know what you mean!"
Kali arrived back home about the time they were departing. She was feeling about as low as a body could feel. How on EARTH could she have let things get so screwed up? Judy always told her to tell the truth and shame the devil! Well...if to no one but herself, she had to tell the truth! Hell, she didn't even LIKE Taker! They had good sex! That was all! And she didn't doubt what Kane had said!That she was being used to fill a few empty hours! But DAMMIT!! He had arrived at one of the lowest times of her life!
Thoughts of Kane flooded her mind! Pain filled her as she had to admit she still loved her ex-husband! A wave of longing washed over her as memories of their honeymoon washed over her.
Carrying her bag in to the bedroom, she dropped it at the foot of her bed. Sitting down, Kali thought about this mess. One thing was certain...she wouldn't be seeing Taker again. She couldn't help but wonder if her longtime friendship with Judy would be just another price to pay for all this! Feeling absolutely miserable, Kali lay down on the bed and had a good cry!
At the sound of the dressing room door opening, Judy turned to find Taker standing there, an angry look in his eyes. Hands on hips, head tilted slightly forward, he looked about ready to chew her up and spit her out! Her own fiery temper began to rise.
"What do YOU want?" She asked in a deceptively soft voice, her narrowed eyes glittering dangerously.
"Just what in HELL do you think you're doing sleeping with that asshole Lightening?" It was more an accusation than a question!
Her eyes widened in surprise! Why on earth would he think they were sleeping together? "Who I sleep with or DON'T sleep with, is none of your business! You gave up the right to have any say in my life when you slept with my best friend. And now you're acting as though you've forgotten all about that!" She was just an mad as he was. Her eyes all but spit fire at him. Her hands were on her hips in the posture he knew so well. She was FURIOUS!
Taker's eyes narrowed dangerously as he listened to her outburst! "You ARE the mother of my children! Don't forget that! If you continue to act like a BITCH IN HEAT....willing to lay with any dog that'll have you, then you leave me no choice. I'll just have to petition for permanent custody of my children, on the grounds you are unfit to raise them!" He threatened coldly, his eyes absolutely frigid!
"YOU BASTARD! You dare threaten me? I think you better leave!" She refused to let him see just how much his words scared her!
Taker glared furiously at her a few minutes longer, then stormed from the room. Legs shaking...hands trembling uncontrollably, Judy sat down too weak to stand. And to think she actually LOVED that man! She was disgusted with herself at the thought! One thing was certain...she WOULD NOT let him have her children!
Snatching up her bags, she left the room in such a hurry, she very nearly knocked Kane down. Seeing the angry, fearful expression on her face, Kane was immediately concerned.
"I'm worried about her, Light! Never seen her like that before! Wonder what upset her so!" He said, watching as the heavy metal door closed behind her.
"Well....I may be the blame for all this! Taker saw me leaving her room this morning. He assumed we slept together and I didn't try to correct that assumption." Light said, a sheepish, lopsided grin on his handsome face!
Groaning softly, his eyes lifted toward the ceiling, Kane understood WHY Light had done it. It also explained what or who had upset Judy. He only hoped things weren't as bad as her actions would indicate.
"Wait a minute! Taker saw you leaving her room this morning? What time this morning?" Kane asked suspiciously, hazel eyes narrowed as he looked closely at his friend.
"Oh....bout 8:30 or so!" Light said...a wicked twinkle in his eyes.
Chuckling despite himself, Kane shook his head knowing Taker's jealous streak! "DID you sleep with her?"
Laughing softly in response, Light shook his head no. "I was worried about her. I DID spend what was left of the night in her room, but I slept on the sofa...WITH my clothes on!"
"She's not the type to play games. She's had a rough time of it where men are concerned. Taker being only the second man she has ever been involved with!" Kane said, as they walked toward their dressing room.
"I know she doesn't sleep around or play games...she's too honest for that! I just thought he deserved a little pay-back for what he's put her through! Didn't mean to cause her more trouble!" Light said thoughtfully!
Judy called Brent to let him know she was on her way home. She couldn't help sounding disparate and scared.
"What time will you be in?" He asked, wondering what was wrong!
"I don't know! I'll rent a car when I get there!" She said in a strained voice. Moments later after hanging up, she was all packed and ready to leave!
Brent watched from the porch as she pulled in to the driveway. From her expression and jerky movements, he could tell she was at the end of her endurance. Her nerves were totally shot! She didn't say anything as she walked passed him, into her home. Once inside, she collapsed in a chair.
Brent didn't say anything as he handed her a cup of hot chocolate. "You want to tell me what has you so spooked?"
Anger flared up sending a surge of adrenaline rushing through her veins. Almost as quickly, she seemed to crumble before his eyes.
"TAKER! He threatened to take the twins from me because he 'THINKS' I'm sleeping with Light! Light is just a friend. The other night, I got drunk and he DID spend the night in my room, but he slept on the sofa and I swear nothing happened! Taker must of seen him leaving my room! Now... he says if I don't quit sleeping around, he'll take my kids! I WILL NOT allow that to happen!" She said tiredly!
"He's just making a lot of noise! I don't know him very well, but I don't see him doing that! He knows how much you love those kids! I think he's just trying to scare you. Looks to me like he did a good job of it!" Brent said, a hint of humor in his eyes. "I think you should go get some rest...you're exhausted, then tomorrow we'll talk more about this!"
Maybe he was right! Maybe a few hours sleep would help! But she still wasn't going to let Taker get his hands on the twins. Tiredly, she went upstairs to her room. She was asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.
Kali had never been so tired, as when she arrived back home. Morning hadn't changed THAT all that much. She was still exhausted. Pouring herself a glass of juice. she sat down at the table. Memories of her friendship with Judy came to mind...all the problems they had faced together...all the fun they had shared...and now this mess!
Kali didn't delude herself by thinking Taker loved her. In her heart, she knew he didn't! Hell, they could just barely stand each other, if the truth be known. So why had she screwed him? To get back at her husband? To betray her best friend? To be fair, she hadn't meant to hurt Judy. She had just been hurt badly by Kane's betrayal, so maybe that had been the motivation behind her actions.
But she had to admit one thing to herself...after all Kane had put her through, she still loved him. Of that, she had no doubts. But was there any hope for them?
Picking up her phone, Kali punched in his cell number. He answered on the second ring. They were still talking twenty minutes later.
Judy returned to the car. She had retired her license indefinitely. As she slid behind the wheel of her Blazer, Judy looked over at Brent smiling a sad little smile. Looking in the back seat, she smiled at her babies all tucked in their car seats. They chattered happily to each other and to their momma and Brent.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Brent asked seriously.
"Yes, I am! I don't want to give him a chance to snatch them!" Judy said quietly, as she started the S.U.V.
Brent had FINALLY convinced her to go back and finish her time with the WWF, rather than just running! It had taken all of his persuasion to do that! He had agreed reluctantly to go into hiding with the twins...but only until she could straighten all this out with Taker. A short time later, they were on I-40 heading west...destination...Nashville!